The ACCESS Model: Health Tech’s Next Gold Rush?

Health Affairs
Health AffairsMay 8, 2026

Why It Matters

The program opens a massive, government‑backed market for health‑tech firms, but only those that overcome literacy, language, and evidence hurdles will capture revenue and improve senior health outcomes.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare will reimburse electronic health apps and wearables soon.
  • Digital health firms must adapt from corporate benefits to senior market.
  • Lower digital literacy and multilingual needs challenge Medicare rollout.
  • Physicians will demand stronger evidence of product efficacy.
  • New hybrid sales model puts patients and doctors in purchasing decisions.

Summary

The video outlines a forthcoming Medicare Access Program that will allow beneficiaries and their physicians to obtain FDA‑cleared health apps and wearable devices with federal reimbursement.

Unlike today’s corporate‑benefits model, providers will face a senior population with lower digital health literacy, a need for multilingual interfaces, and stricter evidence requirements from physicians and health systems.

The presenter notes that companies must navigate a hybrid marketplace where both patients and doctors influence purchasing, and cites his Health Affairs Forefront article for deeper analysis.

Successfully adapting could unlock a multi‑billion‑dollar revenue stream while improving chronic‑disease management for older Americans, but failure to meet these barriers could stall growth.

Original Description

Andrew Rundle from the Columbia University argues the new ACCESS payment model could spark a digital health boom for AI, remote monitoring, and digital care platforms. But he warns big challenges remain including digital literacy barriers for Medicare patients.
Sign up for our free newsletter to catch up on all the latest health policy news and analysis: https://www.healthaffairs.org/newsletters

Visit Health Affairs: http://www.healthaffairs.org
Subscribe and Listen to our Podcasts: https://www.healthaffairs.org/podcasts
Sign up for our free Newsletters: https://www.healthaffairs.org/newsletters

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Loading comments...